Justin Sourdif nets 1st hat trick as Caps hold off slumping Ducks

Justin Sourdif had three goals and two assists and the Washington Capitals hung on to beat the visiting Anaheim Ducks 7-4 on Monday night.

Connor McMichael had four assists, Alex Ovechkin scored two goals, and Ryan Leonard and John Carlson each had a goal and an assist for the Capitals, who built a 5-1 lead before needing two empty-net goals to seal the win.

Charlie Lindgren made 41 saves for Washington, which entered the game having lost two straight and three of four.

Chris Kreider, Alex Killorn, Jacob Trouba and Beckett Sennecke scored for the Ducks, who have lost six in a row (0-5-1).

Petr Mrazek made 19 saves on 24 shots in his first start since Nov. 30. Lukas Dostal took over at the start of the third period and made three saves.

Kreider ended a 15-game goalless skid when he scored with a one-timer from the right circle off a cross-ice pass from Olen Zellweger for a 1-0 lead at 6:33 of the first period.

Washington tied the score 1-1 at 15:56 when Sourdif scored with a wrist shot from between the hash marks.

Anaheim turned over the puck over coming through the neutral zone and Sourdif scored with a wrist shot from the top of the right circle for a 2-1 lead at 18:58 of the second.

Leonard banked the puck off Mrazek from below the goal line to make it 3-1 at 5:54 of the second, Sourdif completed his first NHL hat trick when he scored on a backdoor pass from Leonard for a 4-1 lead at 7:30, and Ovechkin scored with a wrist shot from the left circle to make it 5-1 at 8:52.

Ducks forward Ryan Strome failed to convert a penalty shot at 11:51, but the Ducks would score twice before the end of the period and the Capitals would miss a penalty shot of their own.

Killorn scored from the right circle off a turnover in the Washington zone to cut it to 5-2 at 12:56. After Trouba made it 5-3 at 14:12 with a shot from the right point, Leonard hit the post with a backhand try on his penalty shot at 18:16.

Sennecke swept a loose puck into the net as he was falling in the high slot to cut it to 5-4 at 9:22 of the third, his third goal in three games and his 14th of the season to lead NHL rookies.

However, Carlson scored into an empty net with 1:14 left to make it 6-4 and Ovechkin did the same with 42 seconds remaining for the 7-4 final.

The win gave Washington a needed boost after a rough stretch, as the team had dropped two straight games and three of its previous four. The Capitals came out with pace and purpose, using speed through the neutral zone and quick puck movement to pressure Anaheim early. Even when the Ducks pushed back in the second and third periods, Washington stayed composed and relied on strong goaltending and veteran leadership to close out the game.

Sourdif delivered the performance of the night, recording his first career hat trick and adding two assists for a five point outing. The young forward showed confidence with the puck and sharp finishing touch, scoring from multiple areas of the ice. His goals came at key moments, helping Washington build an early cushion and regain momentum after Anaheim cut into the lead.

Ovechkin continued to show his scoring instincts with two goals, including one that came during Washington’s explosive second period. McMichael’s four assists highlighted his playmaking ability, while Leonard and Carlson contributed at both ends of the ice. Together, the Capitals’ top contributors balanced offense and defensive responsibility when the game tightened late.

For Anaheim, the loss marked the team’s sixth straight without a win. Kreider finally broke his long scoring drought, and Sennecke’s third period goal showed the poise of a rising rookie. Despite trailing by four at one point, the Ducks battled back to within one, creating tension in the building and forcing Washington to defend carefully in the closing minutes.

Lindgren was a key factor for the Capitals, turning aside 41 shots and making several high pressure saves during Anaheim’s late surge. His calm play in net allowed Washington to weather long defensive shifts and avoid giving up the equalizer. On the other end, Anaheim rotated goaltenders after Mrazek’s return start, but could not stop Washington from capitalizing on key chances.

The empty net goals from Carlson and Ovechkin sealed the result, ending any remaining hope of a Ducks comeback. The Capitals now look to build on this performance as they aim to regain consistency, while Anaheim will search for answers as its losing streak continues.

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NHL, Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks, Justin Sourdif, Alex Ovechkin, Connor McMichael, John Carlson, Ryan Leonard, Charlie Lindgren, Game Recap, Hockey News, NHL Rookies